12-15-17 Dunwoody

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018 • VOL. 8— NO. 25

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Dunwoody Reporter

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BROOKH

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A path to th e future: Brookhave n’s journey fro m ‘yes’ to Gr eenway City leade rs create a which opened in

► PCIDs emerges with ‘next generation’ master plan PAGE 26

new scho Norcross in ol, 2016.

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Brookhaven

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5th Anniver

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Commemo rative Special Sec tion

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Pro-cityho voters win, od 2012.

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Brookhav en Police Departme nt opens, 2013 .

The Atlanta Hawks anno a local pract ice facility, unce 2016.

SPECIAL SECTION | P5-12

Study looks at replacing 1,900 apartments with mixed uses The Peachtree

Creek Green way’s cons

Cherry Blossom Festival debuts, 2015.

truction begin

BY DYAN A

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s in 2018.

The first Martin Luth er King Jr. Day celebratio n at Lynwood Park, 2016 .

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Five years ago this mont city of Brook h, the new haven began down its own a journey path. It’s been a sometimes rocky road, but marked with major stones, and mileas former mayo rs look ahead they see succe , ss on the horiz on.

During its first five years, the has paved roads new city , improved parks model city for others to a police force, and set up look to,” Mayo and also has John Ernst begun effort r said. “We’r create afford s to e finding ways able housing, be innovative to update zonto ing codes to and showing deal with rapid ways to do the region things bette developmen and to take t r.” the first steps The battle for toward estab lishing the cityhood began long-dream with the form in 2010, ed-about Peach Creek Green ation of a group called tree way trail and izens for North park system Cit“We’re on DeKalb. Then . our way to “Brookhaven the group becoming Yes” was form a their state ed to lobby representa tives, notab ly for-

mer state Rep. Mike Jacobs, over desire to have their a local gover nment to take over some services from DeKalb Coun ty. The coun ty governmen t, they argue did not adequ d, ately repre sent them provide servi or ces comm ensurate with the taxes the community paid.

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BY DYANA BAGBY AND JASON RHODE

CITY OF DUNWOODY

A preliminary concept plan for the future of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard where the Lacota apartment complex and two other apartment complexes between Doraville and Peachtree Corners shows townhomes and single-family homes with some mixed-use development and small apartment complexes.

A city study broadly recommending the replacement of some older apartment complexes — home to nearly 1,900 households — with mixed-use projects was reviewed at a Dec. 5 meeting.

The study of the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard area includes apartment complexes that the city once See STUDY on page 16

STANDOUT STUDENT Lovett senior wins national service award

... Our small paper stared down a potential lawsuit from former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. The battle reinforced the importance of journalism to me, both as a student and in a larger world.

Eddie Samuels Brookhaven resident and an editor at the Tufts Daily newspaper

BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net

See COMMENTARY Page 18

OUT & ABOUT

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New hotel to get $38M tax abatement

Celebrating by candlelight

The company set to construct a new hotel on Hammond Drive in Perimeter Center is on track to receive a $38 million tax break from the Dunwoody Development Authority.

The Dunwoody Development Authority and Concord ATL Perimeter LLC entered into a memorandum of understanding on See NEW on page 15

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CITY R ECO G NIZES O U TG O I NG C O UNC I L M EM B ER THO M P S O N

Dec. 11, 2017, is now known as Doug Thompson Day to recognize the service of the outgoing city councilmember.

Thompson served at his last council meeting on Dec. 11 and was thanked by the mayor and other councilmembers with a proclamation. A packed City Hall also thanked him with a standing ovation.

Thompson, who was elected to the council’s Post/District 3 seat in 2010, announced earlier this year he is stepping DYANA BAGBY Doug Thompson was thanked by the mayor down to spend more time with family and City Council for his seven years on and his law practice. City activist Tom the City Council at the Dec. 11 meeting.

Lambert was elected in November to reFrom left are Pam Tallmadge, Jim Riticher, place him and takes office in January.

Thompson, Mayor Denis Shortal, Terry Nall, Lynn Deutsch and John Heneghan.

Thompson was especially recognized for his dedication to trails and park improvements. He has lived in Dunwoody for more than 25 years and was actively involved in the cityhood effort to incorporate Dunwoody.

In a speech, Thompson said he has enjoyed serving the residents of Dunwoody. He urged council members to travel to other cities to see what works and doesn’t work and bring back fresh ideas to Dunwoody. He also suggested shorter meetings.

CO D E ENFO R C EM ENT TO INC R EA S E I N 20 1 8

Dunwoody’s code enforcement department plans to be busier in 2018 by taking a proactive approach, rather than simply responding to complaints.

James Lemoine, who started his job as the city’s code enforcement officer in March, made a brief presentation at the Dec. 3 meeting of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. He said a second code enforcement officer was added in September, and the two will be seeking out code violations to fix in the New Year. The new effort begins Jan. 1.

“We are making some changes,” Lemoine said. “Dunwoody is not playing around anymore.”

The department will continue to WAYNE RADLOFF respond to complaints, he said.

Some of the illegal signs picked up by Code Illegal signs continue to offend Enforcement during a recent sweep. some residents who complain about them, especially in the Georgetown area. Lemoine said code enforcement does weekly sweeps for illegal signs, but the fight to remove them is continuous.

“It’s an ongoing battle,” he said. “We never get ahead. We are trying to keep up.”

He said some 1,000 illegal signs have been picked up since March just in Georgetown.

Part of the problem is trying to catch illegal sign placers in the act, he said. Many of the signs, for example, have 1-800 numbers and it can be difficult to contact a specific person to tell them to stop placing the signs in the city right-of-way or to issue a citation.

Lemoine said court convictions of code violations are up 42 percent this year and plans are to continue to take more businesses to court to try to dissuade illegal signs.

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The new Dunwoody Public Facilities Authority, a board made up of the mayor and City Council, is set to enter into a 40-year lease agreement with the Dunwoody Nature Center.

The new authority was sworn in Dec. 11. The vote on the lease agreement is slated for Jan. 8.

“A driving force for establishing the Authority is the ability to enter into long-term agreeenlivant.com ments with partners for public land and facilities rather than one-year renewable leases,” Economic Development Director Michael Starling states in a memo to the council.

“The Dunwoody Nature Center is undertaking a capital campaign to add facilities to expand programming and to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors who use the park,” the memo states. “They are requesting a 40-year usage agreement to provide assurances to corporations and foundations that funds donated for capital improvements will be used for the stated purposes and remain under the control of the Nature Center.”

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The authority was created in July when the council approved a resolution establishing the council to serve as members of the authority.

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2 0 1 7 S USTA I N A BL E H ERO N OM INATIO NS N OW BEI N G A C C EP TED

The city of Dunwoody is accepting nominations for the 2017 Resident Sustainable Hero and Corporate/Non-profit Sustainable Hero awards.

The Sustainable Hero Award is an annual campaign recognizing an individual resident and a company, business or nonprofit organization located in Dunwoody for “particular and commendable involvement and promotion of sustainable activities or programs.”

The nomination period for the 2017 Sustainable Hero Award program is underway and ends Feb. 6. Interested residents and area businesses can participate in the nomination process by visiting the 2017 Sustainable Hero Award online nomination portal at connectdunwoody.com.

REGI STER N OW F OR M L K DAY OF SERVI C E ON JAN. 15

Residents who want to participate in Dunwoody’s second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service next month are encouraged to register online now.

The event will be Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. at Brook Run Park. Volunteers can register to participate in activities such as planting trees, cleaning up a Dunwoody park, daffodil planting or sharing time at local senior living centers.

Volunteers can register on the city’s Parks Registration Portal. To register, search Park Events on the Parks and Recreation page of dunwoodyga.gov. Registration ends Sunday, Jan. 14, at 11:59 p.m.

The MLK Day of Service is a partnership between the city and the Dunwoody-Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in cooperation with Brighton Gardens, the Community Assistance Center (CAC), Country Gardens, the Dunwoody Nature Center, I Care Atlanta, Inc., The Daffodil Project and Trees Atlanta.

Volunteers can also donate a new or gently used coat or non-perishable food items to one of the donation bins on the day of the event at the pavilion at Brook Run Park.

Volunteers will check in at 8:30 a.m.at the pavilion at Brook Run Park at 4770 N. Peachtree Road, where the morning will begin with registration, donuts, coffee, music and giveaways. Volunteers can either stay in Brook Run Park or drive to their selected volunteer location. Activities are expected to end at noon.

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As far back as 2015, Dunwoody officials and residents were discussing ways to use public art to help the young city stand out and stand above other neighboring suburban enclaves.

“There is a lot of clear interest in arts and culture,” Assistant City Manager Jessica Guinn said. “We have Stage Door Players, the Spruill Center for the Arts and lots of other organizations already here working on these. But we didn’t have a plan to coordinate the efforts and also look to the future.”

This year, the city hired Civic Moxie for nearly $86,000 to come up with an Arts & Culture Master Plan named “Create Dunwoody” that will serve as a policy guide for the next two decades and to outline ways the city can offer residents and visitors quality arts and cultural experiences.

Other cities with their own arts and culture master plans include Decatur and Roswell, Guinn said.

Public input is part of the plan. One community meeting already has been held with more set to take place early next year. An online survey allowing residents to record opinions will remain open until mid-January.

“We really need to get more people from the community to participate. This is an important initiative that includes residents, businesses and other stakeholders,” Guinn said.

Bob Kinsey, CEO of the Spruill Center for the Arts, has long advocated for public art because, as he noted in a column in Reporter Newspapers in March, “all great cities have great art.”

There are many arts and cultural events taking place already in the city with concerts at the Dunwoody Nature Center and Lemonade Days and the Dunwoody Arts Festival, Guinn said, but there also are opportunities to enhance those efforts.

Public discussions will be held in the coming months on how art will be selected and acquired to ensure everyone is clear on how the city will move forward, Guinn said.

City spokesperson Bob Mullen said there will be plenty of exploration by consultants, along with public input of where public art will go. Perhaps in a park, or a mural on a wall, he said. He noted that Chicago’s popular Cloud Gate, nicknamed “The Bean,” is an example of a strong visual pieces that help identify a city.

“There is the potential to create something like that in Dunwoody,” he said.

The idea of developing an arts-and-culture master plan is newer to municipalities than, say, drawing up a plan for transportation or parks or even bike and pedestrian trails. But as cities continue to find ways to attract people and businesses, incorporating art and culture into the planning process is becoming more and more important, Guinn said.

“These are newer initiatives for cities that want to show an appreciation for arts and culture,” she said.

To participate in the online survey for the Arts & Culture Master plan, visit surveymonkey.com/r/CreateDunwoody.

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Brookhaven 5th Anniversary | 5

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BROOKHAVEN AT

A path to the future Brookhaven’s journey from ‘yes’ to Greenway City leaders create a new school, which opened in Norcross in 2016.

5

YES

YES

YES

Commemorative Special Section YES

YES

YES

YES

Pro-cityhood voters win, 2012.

Brookhaven Police Department opens, 2013.

abc The Atlanta Hawks announce a local practice facility, 2016.

Cherry Blossom Festival debuts, 2015.

The Peachtree Creek Greenway’s construction begins in 2018.

The first Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Lynwood Park, 2016.

BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net

Five years ago this month, the new city of Brookhaven began a journey down its own path. It’s been a sometimes rocky road, but marked with major milestones, and as former mayors look ahead, they see success on the horizon.

During its first five years, the new city has paved roads, improved parks and set up a police force, and also has begun efforts to create affordable housing, to update zoning codes to deal with rapid development and to take the first steps toward establishing the long-dreamed-about Peachtree Creek Greenway trail and park system.

“We’re on our way to becoming a

model city for others to look to,” Mayor John Ernst said. “We’re finding ways to be innovative and showing the region ways to do things better.”

The battle for cityhood began in 2010, with the formation of a group called Citizens for North DeKalb. Then the group “Brookhaven Yes” was formed to lobby their state representatives, notably for-

mer state Rep. Mike Jacobs, over their desire to have a local government to take over some services from DeKalb County. The county government, they argued, did not adequately represent them or provide services commensurate with the taxes the community paid.

Continued on page 6

6 | Brookhaven 5th Anniversary

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A path to the future: Brookhaven’s journey from ‘Yes’ to the Greenway Continued from page 5

with the police, that rancor dying down.”

For Rebecca Chase Williams, the city’s “I was initially opposed to [citysecond mayor, the first five years “have hood],” said J. Max Davis, the city’s first gone by so fast.” mayor and the chair of the Brookhaven “I look back and see so many accomYes movement. “My inclination was to plishments and have this overwhelming not be in favor for what I thought would sense of pride,” she said. be more government.”

“We’ve lowered taxBut when he realized that es, we’ve paved roads, our he and other residents were parks are vastly improved, willing to pay for private sezoning and planning is curity to provide protection done closer to home,” she in their neighborhoods, he said. “All the promises we had an epiphany that tax made, we’ve kept.” money could be used to Williams became mayor fund a city police force. in 2015 after Davis resigned “We weren’t getting the to make an unsuccessful bid coverage from DeKalb police for the seat representing Diswe wanted. The higher-ups trict 80 in the state House of were not assigning officers Representatives. to patrol our area,” he said.

“Part of our challenge SPECIAL When a police lieutenJ. Max Davis. is that Brookhaven is alant told him that DeKalb poready a popular and wonlice probably would not be able to provide derful place to live and lots of people the coverage he wanted, Davis felt he had no and developers are coming in,” she addchoice but to support the creation of the city ed. “We don’t want to infringe on the of Brookhaven, he said. “I think that was the great quality of life ... and so there is real impetus to support cityhood for many work to be done in finding that balance people — having real security,” he said. of growth and quality of life.”

Creating Brookhaven wasn’t an easy The city’s first five years include some sale, however. In 2012, after state legislators rocky moments. Davis was accused of approved a vote on the new city, residents sexual harassment for allegedly spraying split roughly 55 percent to 45 percent in the aerosol at a female colleague. The city atvote to create Brookhaven. The new city torney was dismissed after some city officame into existence in December of 2012. cials said he tried to help cover up the accuThe city covered some 12 square miles sation against Davis. from I-85 to I-285, where it bordered DunResidents have packed City Hall in woody, another new city set to celebrate red shirts demanding city officials pro10 years of existence in 2018. (After an hibit certain kinds of new development, annexation, Brookhaven now extends including the proposed Brookhavensouth of I-85 into an area where ExecuOglethorpe MARTA transit-oriented detive Park and the North Druid Hills camvelopment (the city did pus of Children’s Healthagree to pause that) as well care of Atlanta are located.) as planned mixed-used deDuring the debate velopments along thriving over whether to create a Dresden Drive (the council city of Brookhaven, heathas approved one and deed “Brookhaven Yes” and nied another; both are cur“Brookhaven No” camrently locked in litigation.) paigns formed. One of When Ernst took over Ernst’s main campaign as mayor in 2016, one of promises when he took ofhis and the council’s first fice in 2016 was to find tasks was to dismiss former ways to unite the two. city manager Marie Garrett “When I got elected, there over a contract dispute.

SPECIAL was no ‘Yes Brookhaven’ or Rebecca Chase Williams.

Garrett had been with the ‘No Brookhaven,’” Ernst said. city since it was founded.

“We are just Brookhaven. We’ve moved on “The whole thing with J. Max was a sad from that and are running a city now.” episode,” Williams said. “And I was sorry to There may be a little bitterness left besee how all that ended with Marie. She was hind. “There’s still one person on Osborne a great city manager for a start-up city.”

Road with a ‘Brookhaven No’ sign,” Davis But, Ernst said, he and the council said with a chuckle. don’t look back and only look forward “People of both sides of the cityhood to keeping the promises that were the issues came together really well,” Dafoundation of forming the city. vis said. “In the beginning there was still Police, parks and paving are the “three some of that suspicion ... and there are Ps” many cities and municipalities promstill some negative nellies out there. But ise to spend their residents’ tax dollars I’ve noticed after about a year, especially on, and Brookhaven’s government con-

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tinues to make those areas a priority, city continues to work to have its own Ernst said. “Our paving schedule is agschool system and admits disappointgressive. We have some of the best-paved ment that the state charter school known roads in the region,” Ernst said. as Brookhaven Innovation Academy decidThe new Peachtree ed this year to make its perCreek Greenway, a linear manent home in Chamblee park that is expected to conafter not finding a location nect Brookhaven to Chamwithin Brookhaven. blee and Doraville as well “We have to keep tryas PATH400 on Buckhead ing,” he said. “Economic and eventually to the Atlandevelopment is inherently ta BeltLine, is set to break tied to quality education. ground early next year.

We didn’t seize on [the The police department new school], but I hope in has bumped up the numthe future we can.” ber of its officers from a Rather than its charter beginning of 54 to 74 now, school, Brookhaven will be SPECIAL and a new citizens’ patrol the home of the new John Mayor John Ernst. is in the works.

Lewis Elementary School, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta selectnow going up where Skyland Park was ed Brookhaven as the home for its new once located. A new, smaller Skyland massive hospital complex at the I-85 and Park is being built adjacent to the school North Druid Hills Road interchange, and using the money the DeKalb County promises to invest millions of its own monSchool District paid for the property. ey on traffic improvements in the area.

“We got a brand-new park and an exCity officials also praise the “halo tra $1.7 million that we’ve leveraged to effect” CHOA will bring to the surbuy more green space,” Ernst said. That inrounding area, especially along Bucludes 33 acres of former DeKalb-Peachtree ford Highway, where it is expected new Airport land expected to open in January medical-related businesses will pop up. as a city park including walking trails.

Across the street from CHOA is Execu“I think a lot of good planning was tive Park, recently purchased by Emory done in the first few years and now we University. Although Emory hasn’t reare in the building stages and moving vealed its plans for Executive Park, city forward to keep those promises,” Ernst officials expect it to complement the said. “We are getting the job done on CHOA medical complex. The area also what we set out to do.” includes a brand new, state-of the-art Atlanta Hawks practice facility that’s a partnership with Emory Healthcare.

City Hall is currently located in a leased building on Peachtree Road. Ernst said that finding a permanent City Hall building is not a main priority of his current term, but there are plans to use some $15 million in new Special Local Option Sales Tax funds to pay for a new police department and municipal court, perhaps to remain located on Buford Highway.

Williams said she expects the Brookhaven-Oglethorpe MARTA station redevelopment to come back before the City Council in the next five years, if not sooner. “And I hope we go forward in a way in which both sides benefit,” she said.

All three mayors agree the first five years included a great deal of planning: a parks master plan; a bike and pedestrian master plan; determining a fair way to pave roads; funding the Peachtree Creek Greenway; coming up with an affordable housing task force; a character-area study for residents to discuss how they want to see their neighborhoods preserved; and a citywide zoning rewrite designed to better handle the rapid development of one of the hottest cites in metro Atlanta.

“I think the next five years are going to be terribly exciting,” Williams said. “We have wonderful master plans, which was Atlanta a long process. The real challenge is paying for them all and setting priorities.”

275 Collier Road, NW Suite 100-C Davis said when Brookhaven was startAtlanta, GA 30309 ed, there was no guidebook and a lot of lessons had to be learned. He hopes the

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Happy Birthday, Brookhaven!

Mike Jacobs DeKalb County State Court judge and former state representative I wish to extend my congratulations to the city of Brookhaven on its five-year anniversary as a municipality. Working together as neighbors, I am confident the future of the community will be bright.

Kelly Marsh Brookhaven Arts Festival director and real estate agent Currently, Brookhaven is one of the hottest real estate markets in Atlanta. Based on past history, it looks like the number of higher price point (over $800,000) homes will slow in the next five years, making the area more affordable for buyers. Brookhaven will remain healthier than the rest of Atlanta due to the improvements to the parks, roads and the high demand to be inside 285. Positive changes to our schools will take effect in about four years from now, creating movement amongst current residents and those wanting to move into Brookhaven. This will also stimulate the real estate market, giving buyers and sellers great opportunity.

As for the Brookhaven Arts Festival, we are building on our most successful year so far in 2017 and I predict that in five years we will offer the highest-quality art in the most easily accessible environment, providing a fun and unique outing for Brookhaven residents and people from far away.

Linley Jones Brookhaven City Council member The first five years of our City have been highly successful. The City is up and running efficiently and cost-effectively with top-notch police, community service and public works. Brookhaven has worked closely with citizens to gather feedback and plan for the future. Implementation of many of the City’s plans is already underway. I expect the next five years will see tremendous change and improvement as the City’s resources are directed to plan implementation. From the Ashford-Dunwoody Corridor Study to the Park Plans to the Nancy Creek Watershed Improvement and Peachtree Creek Greenway, our City will see the makeover continue as we tackle challenges like traffic improvement and growth, with citizen input to our grassroots government always critical to the efforts.

Aníbal Torres Executive director, Latin American Association Brookhaven continues to deepen its commitment to diversity. In just the past year, it has commissioned an affordable housing task force, become a “Welcoming City,” and hired a public engagement specialist to lead the city’s outreach to Brookhaven’s diverse community. If current progress continues, within five years, Brookhaven will have become a leading example of a city that embraces Latinos, celebrates their culture, and meaningfully includes them in its public processes.

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Gabriel Sterling Sandy Springs City Council member, consultant on Brookhaven cityhood campaign “Like every city that’s been established since 2005, they’re different personalities … and all for the most part have been pretty successful. I agree with others who have said this isn’t Balkanization. This is allowing those areas, those regions, those cities to have a voices that were true. At the end of the day, I’m always going to say Sandy Springs is the best single example of how a city should run. But I think all of them are better than the alternative. With all of the drama and the heartache and the angst, they are better off than when they had been county protectorates.”

Lawrence Schall President, Oglethorpe University Let me offer my congratulations to the city of Brookhaven on its fifth birthday. First and foremost, I want to thank the leaders of the city for being such good and thoughtful partners to the university. We have developed strong and collaborative working relationships with the mayor, all the City Council people, the city manager, and many others. Those relationships have grown over time and I certainly expect that to continue as we move forward together.

J.D. Clockadale President of Brookhaven Police Foundation and Zoning Board of Appeals member Our police department will continue to a model of how to build strong relationships with all aspects of our community while effectively ensuring the safety and high quality of life that make Brookhaven such a great place to raise a family.

The community itself will continue to reap the rewards of dedicated greenspace, progressive road paving and rebuilt parks infrastructure, as well as boards and commissions served by engaged, committed residents who actively seek to grow Brookhaven in a way that serves our great history and even greater potential.

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018

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Brookhaven 5th Anniversary | 9

Georgia’s destination for pediatric care We’re proud to be part of the Brookhaven community for its first five years, and we look forward to celebrating more milestones together. Coming in 2018, we will be celebrating the opening of two new locations in the area—our first in town urgent care center, Children’s at Chamblee-Brookhaven, and the Center for Advanced Pediatrics. And over the next eight years, we have plans to build a new North Druid Hills campus that will transform the lives of children, families, and Brookhaven citizens with state-of-the-art care. Thanks again, Brookhaven, for working with us to build a better future for our kids and our communities.

Visit choa.org/breakingnewground for more information.

©2018 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.

10 | Brookhaven 5th Anniversary

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News DUNWOODY

The changing face of Brookhaven Brookhaven formed as the country emerged from the Great Recession, and like many cities, is now dealing with the plusses and minuses of a development boom, from infill housing to such major concepts as transit-oriented MARTA station complexes. The city has seized the opportunity to massive effect, most notably by annexing Executive Park – bringing Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory Healthcare and the Atlanta Hawks to town as major players – and preparing for the Peachtree Creek Greenway park and trail. But it also faces challenges of preserving affordability and diversity, especially along Buford Highway, whose residents have found new activist voices. This map shows the places where the city is likely to change the most in its next five years.

A Executive Park/North Druid Hills Road DORAVILLE

CHAMBLEE

D

BROOKHAVEN/OGLETHORPE MARTA STATION

F E

DRESDEN DRIVE

C

BUFORD HIGHWAY

SKYLAND PARK AREA

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is planning a massive 80-acre campus at the I-85 and North Druid Hills Road interchange, including an 8- story Center for Advanced Pediatrics and a new $1.3 billion hospital. Across the street, Emory University purchased 60 acres of Executive Park that now includes a new Atlanta Hawks/Emory Healthcare practice facility. Emory has not revealed its future plans for the site that is ripe for redevelopment.

B Peachtree Creek Greenway

The “model mile” of the Peachtree Creek Greenway between Corporate Boulevard and Briarwood Road breaks ground in early 2018. This is the first leg of the approximate 12-mile linear park that is expected to connect Brookhaven with Chamblee, Doraville, PATH400 in Buckhead and eventually the Atlanta BeltLine.

C Buford Highway

Redevelopment and gentrification along and near Buford Highway continues with older apartment complexes being torn down for luxury townhomes. Organizations such as We Love BuHi are trying to find ways to preserve and promote the cultural diversity of the international corridor as developers eye properties for redevelopment. City Councilmember Joe Gebbia has talked of wanting to see a performing arts center on Buford Highway.

D Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA Station BUCKHEAD

B

A

PEACHTREE CREEK GREENWAY

EXECUTIVE PARK/ NORTH DRUID HILLS ROAD

The city rejected plans for a transit-oriented mixed-use development at the station, but city and MARTA officials fully expect redevelopment to take place within the next five years on the acres of mostly vacant parking lot.

E Dresden Drive Restaurants and retail continue to thrive on Dresden Drive. One multi-use development, Dresden Village, is currently being held up by a lawsuit filed by a resident after the project was approved by the city, and another multi-use development, Solis Dresden, is also still in the courts after the developer, Terwilliger Pappas, filed a lawsuit against the city for rejecting its proposed apartments and retail project.

F Skyland Park area

ATLANTA

A new, smaller Skyland Park is under construction now and will open in early 2018.

The DeKalb County School District is also building the new 900-seat John Lewis Elementary School at the site set to open in 2019, which is expected to alleviate overcrowding in the Cross Keys cluster.

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Brookhaven 5th Anniversary | 11

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12 | Brookhaven 5th Anniversary

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BROOKHAVEN AT 5 BY THE NUMBERS Since the city’s formation, Brookhaven’s population has gotten bigger and wealthier, but also less diverse and with more people living in poverty. In terms of the “three P’s” — paving, parks and police — that residents wanted cityhood to improve, green space and the police force have increased significantly and about 29 percent of the city streets have been repaved.

Population

White

Black

Hispanic or Latino (All Races)

Asian

Median Household Income

Population Living Below Federal Poverty Level

THEN

49,000 52% 11.4% 30.2% 5% $56,231 12.2%

NOW

52,444 57% 9.6% 24.8% 5.6% $69,277 15.2%

PAVING

PARKS

POLICE

Out of 120 miles of roads in the city, nearly 35 miles will have been paved from 2012 through the end of 2017.

In 2012, the city had 12 parks and 271 acres of green space. In 2017, the city has 15 parks and nearly 317 acres of green space.

The city had 54 officers in 2013 and has 73 officers in 2017.

Tr a n s f o r m y o u r s p a c e t o f i t Y O U

[DESIGN

+

BUILD]

770.670.6022

MosaicDesignBuild.com

KITCHENS I BATHS I ADDITIONS I WHOLE HOUSE I PORCHES I LANDSCAPING I BASEMENTS I NEW HOMES

Sources: U.S. Census (*latest available statistics from 2015), Brookhaven Reporter, City of Brookhaven.

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018

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Community | 13

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Perimeter Center hotel, restaurant get the green light

D

PEACHTREE DUNWOODY

BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net

An AC-brand hotel could begin construction next summer in Perimeter Center after developers were given the go-ahead Dec. 11 by the mayor and City Council.

The council approved the rezoning and special land use permit requests needed for Prado Perimeter LLC to construct the 7-story hotel and 5-story parking deck at 121 Perimeter Center West. The development also includes a 10,000-square-foot restaurant on an approximate 5-acre plot.

The council split 5-2, with Councilmembers Terry Nall and Lynn Deutsch saying they were not happy with such little detail in the renderings of the AC-hotel, a European boutique hotel put out by Marriott.

“There is not enough information for me to be comfortable with this,” Nall said in making a motion to defer the project for 30 days. The motion failed.

Nall and Deutsch said there were not enough specific designs and renderings showing what the 157-room AC-brand hotel would look like, but Prado attorney Den Webb argued that the hotel is being built in the newly created Perimeter Center zoning district that includes strict requirements that must be approved by the Community Development Department.

The new hotel will be managed by Hotel Development Partners, a division of Hotel Equities, a Dunwoody-based hotel management and development firm.

The renderings submitted to the City Council are preliminary illustrations and better design plans were intended to be completed after the rezoning request was completed, Steven Smith of Hotel Development Partners said.

Plans are to begin the hotel design shortly after the New Year, with a complete design set to be completed in about four months, Smith told the council. Plans would then be to break ground next summer, following construction of the parking deck, he added.

Amenities of the hotel include a full-service bar, lounge seating and multimedia area, a breakfast dining area with outdoor seating and a 4,575-square-foot rooftop amenity area with a bar and catering kitchen.

Smith noted Hotel Equities has developed four other hotels in Dunwoody, including the Hampton Inn & Suites – Atlanta Perimeter and the Residence InnAtlanta Perimeter Center.

“The AC brand is the fastest growing brand Marriott has ever produced,” Smith said. “We want to make the city happy.”

Residents living in the Flats at Perimeter Place have argued that the parking deck of the new development, with 320 spaces, will just be just over 30 feet from many of those living on the south side of the building, blocking the sun and offerDUN

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Illustration of the 7-story AC-brand hotel to be built at 121 Perimeter Center West as part of a development that includes a 10,000 square-foot restaurant.

ing the view of a concrete wall.

Revenue for the apartment complex would also be hurt by the new development, a Flats at Perimeter representative said during a council meeting last month.

The apartment complex has been in Dunwoody for 11 years and is valued at $70 million by DeKalb County, the representative said.

Estimated loss in value due to lost rent for the 86 units facing the parking deck is $3 million to $4 million, and lost tax revenue to the county is estimated at $50,000 to $65,000 a year.

Webb said the parking deck is being built within the city-required buffer.

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14 | Community

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A map of Dunwoody shows parcels that are included in flood hazard areas. Yellow areas are where flood hazards have decreased; orange areas have increased flood hazards; red areas show newly added flood hazard parcels; and green areas show parcels that have been removed from flood hazard maps. This is a draft map, with the final map scheduled to be completed in April 2019.

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DeKalb County’s flood risk information has been revised and updated flood hazard maps are being made available to the public to show whether homes and property are more at risk for potential flood damage or safer from it.

Dozens of Dunwoody residents attended a Dec. 7 open house at Kingswood United Methodist Church to review the updated maps, inputting their addresses into available computers to check on their flood risks.

Shelley Noble, who lives in Georgetown, said her property was already included in a flood-hazard area. The updated maps, however, show more of her property is now at higher risk of flooding.

“It’s not a big deal because I already knew I was in flood-risk area,” she said, “but it does make me a little more concerned if I have the right [insurance] coverage.”

In Dunwoody, the draft maps completed by engineers for DeKalb County and the state Department of Natural Resources show that 28 parcels have been added to flood-hazard areas on the maps while 38 parcels have been removed.

A total of 383 parcels, in middle and south Dunwoody, are included in flood zones.

The parcels tend to run along and within the Upper Chattahoochee watershed, which local, state and federal officials are mapping as part of the new flood hazard maps, said Jeff Mueller with the city of Dunwoody.

Insurance specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were on hand to talk with homeowners about insurance coverage requirements.

Laney Keating of FEMA explained the flood hazard maps determine flood insurance premiums.

“In Dunwoody, more areas have been removed due to better data,” she said, “and some properties that were in moderate-to-low flood hazard areas have been moved to special flood zones.”

“Our message is, whether you live in a low or moderate or special flood zone, there is some risk,” she said. “It’s important to see what risk there is and the only protection from a flood is flood insurance. Homeowners insurance does not cover floods.”

Georgia DNR encourages homeowners, even those outside high-risk areas, to buy flood insurance because more than 35 percent of Georgia flood insurance claims come from the less risk-prone flood zones.

Also, DNR officials say that homeowners who are being added to higher risk zones and who buy flood insurance before the new maps go into effect may be able to save money on premiums.

The final maps take effect in April 2019, according to Haydn Blaize, who manages the Floodplain Unit at DNR. This allows time for people to review the maps. A 90-day appeal period will be held in the spring and summer of 2018.

Maps are revised about every 10 years. With better topography and computer models that predict flooding, more accurate information is available to use in creating the new maps, he said.

Residents can view the new preliminary maps online at GeorgiaDFIRM.com. For Dunwoody questions, call Rich Edinger at 678-382-6801 or rich.edinger@dunwoodyga.gov.

DUN

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New hotel to get $38M tax abatement

A rendering of the 10-story hotel set to go up at 1134 Hammond Drive. The hotel includes a rooftop bar.

Continued from page 4 Nov. 30 that will grant the $38 million tax abatement over 10 years. The final revenue bond agreement is set to be made early next year, according to Economic Development Director Michael Starling.

Concord ATL Perimeter LLC is set to construct a 10-story hotel with 177 rooms at 1134 Hammond Drive. The company is a division of North Carolina-based Concord Hospitality.

A 16-story office tower also is to rise next to the hotel, but that project is separate from the hotel project. “Although owned by two separate companies, they will happen together,” Starling said of the hotel and office tower.

Trammell Crow, developer for the office building, plans to seek a $130 million tax abatement from the authority for the project early next year, Starling said.

The City Council approved the office building and hotel project Oct. 9.

Plans are for the office building to break ground in April and the hotel to break ground shortly after that, Starling said.

Under such tax abatement deals, the authority would own the property and lease it back to the developers, who would pay much lower property taxes in the beginning and then gradually increase the amount over many years. Ownership would eventually switch back to the developers.

“Their [Concord ATL Perimeter] abatement over 10 years is $3 million,” Starling said.

Starling said the Concord’s $38 million investment in the hotel project is significant for the city because the property is currently an underutilized parking lot that is part of Perimeter Mall and provides little property tax revenue to the city. Under the current hotel motel tax rate, the city will DUN

receive approximately $2.3 million over 10 years, Starling said.

Concord ATL Perimeter LLC has not entered into an agreement with a hotel yet, but has been in talks with Marriott and Hyatt, Starling said. The hotel is expected to be similar to an “AC brand” hotel and more of

CITY OF DUNWOODY

a boutique style of hotel, he added.

Starling said the DDA is considering making public art part of the final tax break deal and that Concord ATL Perimeter LLC representatives are open to the idea.

The public art would be part of a “placemaking” initiative in Perimeter Center.

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16 | Community

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A concept plan for Peachtree Industrial Boulevard near Chamblee shows mixeduse developments along with townhomes and single-family homes.

Study looks at replacing 1,900 apartments with mixed uses Continued from page 1

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controversially targeted for replacement with a sports complex. Such a use is not in the current study, but it does show those apartments replaced with single-family houses and townhomes.

More than a dozen residents gathered at City Hall to participate in a small-area study for the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard area from I-285 to Winters Chapel Road. The City Council earlier this year hired TSW, an Atlanta-based planning firm, for $40,000 to conduct the study, which is expected to wrap up in March.

“We’re doing this as part of a future visioning session,” Community Development Director Richard McLeod said in an interview. “We want to come up with an idea that we’re trying to plan for, if and when [redevelopment] happens.”

McLeod said no developers have approached the city yet about redeveloping any property in the study area.

TSW divided the area into two conceptual plans for residents to view and select what they liked and did not like on each. Much of the concept plans include adding green space, developing the area into single-family homes and townhomes, some mixed-use development and a few apartment complexes

surrounding small courtyards.

Officials say the area is ripe for redevelopment and has been neglected by the city in favor of focus on Perimeter Center and Dunwoody Village.

The study area includes four older apartment complexes with racially and ethnically diverse residents. They are the Peachtree Place North with 309 units; Dunwoody Glen with 520 units; Lacota apartments with 266 units; and Dunwoody Village apartments with 794 apartments. There are 1,889 apartments in the study area.

There are also dozens of single-family homes as well as commercial land use included in the study area that borders the cities of Peachtree Corners, Doraville and Chamblee.

McLeod said TSW contacted the management companies for the apartment complexes to let them know about the meeting and study. City spokesperson Bob Mullen said city signs were also posted in the right of way near the complexes in English and Spanish.

Dunwoody’s last Comprehensive Plan, developed in 2015, sets out an outline for general future development, but says little about how to develop or redevelop along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, hence the importance of the small area study, McLeod said.

“I want to see what they [TSW] have

DUN

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018

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Community | 17

www.ReporterNewspapers.net

to offer,” McLeod said before the start of the Dec. 5 meeting. “And see if the people love it or hate it, or somewhere in-between.”

Mullen explained the study will outline guidelines to set out what members of the public want to see in the area in future and to give developers an idea of what the community wants before they move forward with any projects.

“This study will be a road map and give guidelines of what the city and residents desire for development of this area,” Mullen said.

At the Dec. 5 meeting, Councilmember Terry Nall tried to quell some fears that the city wants to redevelop the area.

“Let me make it clear,” he said, “the city is not a developer. This is the development guide plan,” Nall said. “What if someone came and said, ‘I want to buy the Lacota apartments, what does the city want?’”

“We don’t have a guide,” Nall said.

“This is what the process is. All we have right now is zoning maps. … What does

tion lawsuit that was later withdrawn.

Following that failed bond vote, the apartment complex owners fixed up the property.

No sports complex is included in any of TSW’s concept plans, but the plans show single-family homes and townhomes where the apartments are located.

Trails and paths not directly adjacent to busy roads are also part of the conceptual plans to increase connectivity throughout the city.

McLeod said no marketing plan has been conducted for the area, but that likely will come in the future. An affordable housing component for the area is “up for discussion,” McLeod said, and is an issue several people at the meeting raised.

Several residents raised concerns about the potential for more flooding in the area, if more development occurs.

“My biggest concern is flooding,” said Emily Knight. “I’m concerned that you’re going to build hard surface, that

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CITY OF DUNWOODY

A map of the small study area for Peachtree Industrial Boulevard includes the locations of four major apartment complexes. Median rent for the area is nearly $900.

the city want to see go there? ... The map is really a starting point, instead of a white sheet of paper.”

Redevelopment of the area has proved to be a touchy subject for some Dunwoody residents. In 2011, Dunwoody sought to buy the Dunwoody Glen and Lacota apartments, which face Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, to replace them with a sports complex.

Voters rejected a parks bond to fund the plan and the apartment owners hit the city with a federal housing discriminaDUN

it’ll flood my property. I will fight you tooth and nail on that.”

A second community meeting will be held in February.

Those interested can view the presentation and concept plans by visiting the city’s website and clicking on the “Projects” tab at the top of the page.

Then click “community development” on the left side of the page and the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard small area study is the first project listed.

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18 | Commentary

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Commentary / Cityhood is leading to regional collaboration Across metro Atlanta, citters Initiative grant from ARC ies are making notable proglast year to collaboratively enress. vision the future of the Buford Sandy Springs is transHighway corridor that runs forming a dated shopping through their cities. center into a vital civic and The six cities in north Fulcultural center. Chamblee ton are now finalizing their is reinventing its historsecond North Fulton Compreic downtown as a vibrant, hensive Transportation Plan. walkable place. Dunwoody With planning assistance from is improving pedestrian and Sam Shenbaga ARC, the cities are developing a bicycle access to shopping Manager of the Atlan- strategy that will help improve and MARTA. ta Regional Commis- mobility options for residents sion’s Community De- of each jurisdiction, realizing These ambitious efforts velopment Group. that what’s good for one city is are to be applauded, as they promise to improve quality of ultimately good for all of them. life for so many people.

Those same north Fulton cities also But cities are also realizing that there’s share ambulance and dispatch serviconly so much they can do alone. Many es, allowing them to save money while key issues, from traffic congestion to ecomaintaining efficient response times. nomic revitalization, cross political lines And recently, city leaders from across and require a collaborative approach. the top end of I-285 met to discuss possiIndeed, a growing number of cities ble transit options in that congested corare joining forces to tackle problems and ridor and other ways of improving momake significant improvements. bility across their city boundaries. It’s A notable example is the Peachtree likely they will meet again to dig even Gateway Partnership, which includes deeper into this critical issue. the cities of Brookhaven, Chamblee, Collaborative efforts are also taking Doraville and Dunwoody. place elsewhere in the Atlanta region.

The group, which formed a few years Consider the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alago with help from the Atlanta Regionliance, which launched a few years ago al Commission, is working to build a cowhen local governments, businesses and ordinated trail network and coordinate civic leaders near Hartsfield-Jackson Aton a range of issues, from transportalanta International Airport came togethtion planning to branding and marketer with the goal of making the area a beting. There’s enormous potential, and the ter place for businesses and residents. group is just getting started.

The alliance worked with ARC to deMeanwhile, the cities of Doraville and velop a long-range vision for the area Chamblee were awarded a Livable Cencalled the Aerotropolis Atlanta Blue-

print. The group is now working on a range of projects, such as connecting employers to qualified workers and creating a trail network that may eventually link to the Atlanta BeltLine.

Other notable programs include Learn4Life, a nonprofit collaborative focused on improving educational outcomes in metro Atlanta, and ARCHI, a collaborative that is working to make the region’s residents and communities healthier.

Meanwhile, the region’s transportation agencies — ARC, Georgia DOT, MARTA, and GRTA/SRTA — are working closely with each other and local governments to provide us all with increased mobility options.

To reflect the momentum around collective action, ARC chose “The Power of Collaboration” as the theme of this year’s State of the Region Breakfast, held last month.

Our executive director, Doug Hooker, told the 1,400 people in attendance that the most pressing issues facing our region are simply too big, and too complex, for any one organization or political jurisdiction to address alone. After all, challenges like traffic, health, and education don’t stop at a city or county boundary.

At ARC, we firmly believe that a community that works together is the best way to ensure a stronger, more resilient future for all of us.

We encourage individuals and groups to come together around regional issues and start working toward solutions.

Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to move an entire region forward.

Guest Column / A high-profile media clash inspires a student journalist In my semester as one of two managing editors of the Tufts Daily, there’s one constant: everything is always an emergency. Often, I say that sarcastically, but Nov. 21 gave those words new meaning as our small paper stared down a potential lawsuit from former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. The battle reinforced the importance of journalism to me, both as a student and in a larger world.

correcting problems our copy editors uncover and doing a final check of our paper before it’s sent to our printer.

I get out of the office at 12:28 — a full 32 minutes ahead of our deadline. The day isn’t over, though; I still need to finish an essay my professor had been kind enough to extend past its original Friday deadline. I Eddie Samuels plummet into bed around 4 Brookhaven resident, one of two managing ed- a.m.

itors at the Tufts Daily newspaper at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. He is a 2014 graduate of The Weber School in Sandy Springs.

Monday, Nov. 20: I get into the Daily’s office — three small rooms in a basement in a long-forgotten Tufts building — around 6 p.m. Five nights a week, I and dozens of other students work until the early morning to put together a paper to be distributed to the school community the next day. In my role as managing editor, most of my night is spent fact-checking,

Tuesday, Nov. 21: I wake up at 10 a.m. and check my phone. Nothing of particular note. We received a new op-ed from a contributor who had previously written a pair of pieces supporting a petition calling for Scaramucci’s removal from the board of advisors at the university’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

At noon, I make my typical run to pick

up a copy of our paper. I go to grab a bite to eat, mindlessly refreshing Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and emails. 12:08: I feel my phone vibrate on the table and reach to check it out. A new email: I’m sure it’s just another random emailing, informing us of some story that’s not a story.

The subject line: “Demand to Immediately Retract Defamatory Public Statements and to Cease and Desist from Ongoing Defamation.”

This was definitely not a typical email.

Our opinion pieces had bothered a certain high-powered alum who spent 10 days in that White House job, before a profanity-ridden rant got him the boot. A brief series of texts back and forth to my fellow managing board members, and I was off to my 1:30 class. My phone never stops vibrating in my pocket and I step out to “go to the bathroom” and see 200plus missed messages.

At 2:45, I get out of class, and at this point we’re in a weird holding position.

Tufts is the smallest school with a daily DUN

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paper, and we are completely self-funded by selling ads. We can’t afford to fight a millionaire in a legal battle, but we’re not backing down.

I leave Boston that night, headed to spend my Thanksgiving in St. Louis with family and, for the most part, we have our plan ironed out. We wanted to talk to an attorney from the Student Press Law Center to confirm that our understanding of the situation is right. At dinner one night, I pass my phone around the table as my family laughs at Scaramucci’s letter.

By Saturday, Nov. 25, our strategy is set.

We’re going to run the letter on our front page, and publish it online at 1 a.m. On Sunday, we’re all back for production, and we’re ready to run the cease-and-desist the following day. Halfway through the night, however, we get an email from the Boston Globe asking for comment. There’s nothing worse than being scooped on a story about your own paper. We end up releasing the cease-and-desist a few hours earlier than we’d intended to, but we got the story up.

We expected some attention from media, but this story blew up in a way that we couldn’t have even predicted, with coverage in the New York Times and

Washington Post. The majority of the media frenzy told the story about how we expected. The small, sympathetic, student newspaper won the day.

Scaramucci resigned from the board following the incident, describing it as “time to move on,” after a 35-year relationship with Tufts. In publishing an oped about the situation, our goal was never to force a resignation, and in fact, we were looking to talk to Scaramucci about the petition.

It’s an interesting time to be a student looking for a career in journalism. Cries of “fake news,” whether from a Twitter troll or a politician, are common. This incident, more than ever, proved that there’s a group of people in this country who believe that money and influence give them the right to bully and deprive others of legitimate viewpoints.

The incident was terrifying, but it was also thrilling. An attempt to stifle free speech ended up the largest story of the year and the most exciting night in the Daily office I’ve ever seen. These last few months have been frustrating, but rewarding, and this incident confirmed more than ever that journalism is what I want to do.

Letter to the Editor

GOP tax cuts are pure evil Karen Handel’s column that recently appeared in the Reporter amounted to an attempt to put lipstick on a pig when it comes to the Republican tax cut. [“GOP tax reform would help local families,” Nov. 24] In her column, Handel did what Donald Trump does best, which is lie lied through his teeth.

The GOP tax plans amount to a massive giveaway to the wealthy and wealthy corporations. For every dollar of tax relief that benefits the middle class, fully $9 of tax cuts goes to the wealthy and wealthy corporations.

This tax ripoff conclusively proves that Republican politicians are slaves of the rich. Favoring the rich is in the GOP DNA. This GOP tax plan will transfer billions of dollars of wealth from the bottom to the top, massively grow income inequality, and blow a trillion-and-a- half-dollar hole in the deficit. The Trump family will receive a billion-dollar windfall from this outrageous tax plan.

The GOP politicians are massively cutting taxes on the rich in the expectation that the rich will show their appreciation over the GOP greed grab by showering massive campaign contributions on those GOP politicians who vote for this outrage.

The GOP congressmen will attempt to pay for the deficit they caused with savage DUN

Commentary | 19

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cuts to the social safety net including cuts to Medicare, Social Security and Obamacare. How many seniors will lose their nursing room care? How many Americans will go hungry after they lose their food stamps?

It is simply outrageous that the GOP would do away with the Estate Tax, which is only paid by the super-rich, and the Alternative Minimum Tax, which ensures that the wealthy pay something.

The Trump tax cut would actually raise taxes of the least of these while savaging the social safety net the least of these depend on in order to pay for obscene tax cuts for the wealthy.

The moral issue of our time is growing income inequality, which would be made worse by this evil GOP giveaway to the rich.

It is time for a vicious and remorseless redistribution of wealth from the 1 percenters, who own so much of America’s wealth, to the middle-class, working-class and poor, who are cash-strapped.

The GOP tax plan is pure evil ... especially given the suffering that will result from this class warfare.

Forget the GOP class warfare. It is time for righteous class warfare that would benefit the many and not the few.

W. Keith Watkins Brookhaven

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SANDY SPRINGS OFFICE 2017 - A YEAR OF CHANGE AND STABILITY

WHAT’S NEW

Taking the greeting card challenge If it’s Dec. 23 and I’m not sitting at my used to be my deadline. Then I startkitchen table behind a pile of unposted ed giving myself a grace period, and I greeting cards, then it’s just not Christstretched the deadline to New Year’s mas at my house.

Day. When I still couldn’t meet that Suffice it to say that I have not mailed deadline, I got very liturgical, put three my cards yet. What’s more, I have not wise men on my cards, and marked the chosen the card theme, format, font or Epiphany (which arrives mercifully latgreeting, nor have I written my Annuer into January, on the 6th). al Blurb. (I’ve been writing I used the Epiphany deadthis column, instead.) line for a while, until one What I have done is year I tried following the Robin Conte is a writer lead of a friend who sends manage to corral all six of and mother of four who Valentine’s cards. But withmy family members togethlives in Dunwoody. She out the momentum of the er in the same spot long can be contacted at December madness pushing enough to take a group selfrobinjm@earthlink.net. ie, which will serve as the me along, I found myself pephoto for my card this year. tering out, like a balloon that This happened last June, beslowly wilts into a deflated cause the kids all materialand droopy state, waiting ized for a Father’s Day dinfor someone to poke the finer, and I couldn’t let that nal hole and squeeze the rest opportunity pass. of the life out of it. Yes, that The kids knew it was inwas my February-deadline evitable, as their main deself, and I still have a stack terrent to coming home is of Valentine’s-themed cards the threat of a family photo. from 1996 that never made it One year, I found myself to the mailbox. in mid-December still lackOne year I sent Easter ing a group photo, and I greetings, and one year I altook aim at the family treemost sent Fourth of July trimming in a last-ditch effort to capgreetings, but then I figured that Decemture the magic. I badgered the offspring ber was going to roll around again soon for poses and “candid shots” until one enough, so I just waited. son couldn’t stand it anymore. He took a But I never let more than two years picture of our namesake ornaments that pass, because I value the sentiment and were hanging on the tree and told me to the correspondence. More than wishuse that. I did. It worked great. ing people peace and joy and health So for me, The Photo is Challenge A and blessings and all the nice things of the card. that one can wish for at the conclusion Challenge B is Formatting the Photo of a year and the commencement of anonto 1,437 different options on Shutterother, the annual greeting card serves fly or Tiny Prints or Costco until I find to keep our personal connections alive. just the right fit, or deciding to scrap all (I know, I know, there’s always Facethat and format it onto a blank piece of book. But that’s another column.) paper. Truthfully, I only did the latter So if you’re on my list, I can pretty once, and five years later I’m still findmuch assure you that you will not reing drafts of it being used as scratch paceive a card from me by Dec. 25. But you per around the house. know what I look like, and you know Challenge C is The Blurb. that I wish you Merry Christmas and Here, I must provide you with some Happy Holidays. backstory. While I was smack dab And now I’ve told you something, as in the middle of my impressionable well. youth, I overheard my Girl Scout leader make a remark to a friend about holiday greeting cards. She said, “I know what you look like and I know you wish me a merry Christmas, so if you’re going to send me a card, tell me something.” And I’ve been telling people something with my greeting cards ever since.

Challenge D is the SPECIAL Deadline.

The greeting card snapshot of snowmen ornaments that Robin’s son took to get out of the dreaded family group photo.

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Rabbi’s book recalls her silent retreat at a Christian monastery

BY JOHN RUCH

– ProsthodontisT Faith – | 21 some cases require a

– ProsthodontisT – and we have one!!

johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

Ordered by a doctor to rest her voice, a Sandy Springs rabbi retreated into the silent world of a Christian monastery, a religious experience she recounts in a new book called “The Voice of Silence.”

Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz of Congregation Or Hadash said her experience three years ago not only regained her voice, but was “revelation” of the power of meditation in an era of noise and distraction.

“We live in a very cacophonSPECIAL ic world now, invaded every sinRabbi Dr. Analia Bortz. gle moment of our day,” Bortz said. “Our creative mind is going into filling spaces and time instead of [following] what the Greeks said, which was to admire the world.”

Diagnosed with vocal cord strain and polyps, Bortz was advised to go many days without speaking.

“It’s like a bird that their wings are cut,” Bortz said of being a rabbi, a professional communicator and counselor, receiving that order of silence. And in the monastery, she said, she found “a rescuer that restores the wings.”

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Ga., is a regionally famous complex run

by Trappist monks who live under a vow of silence and operate popular silent retreats where anyone can share in the contemplation.

Bortz learned of it only by searching for retreats on the internet. A Christian monastery might not seem like a natural fit for a Jewish rabbi, and Bortz writes in her book that she was a bit anxious about some “conversion” references in its literature, but she is involved in interfaith programs and found the retreat appealing.

“So I was curious. I was excited. I was not afraid,” she said. “I took it as an opportunity, a great opportunity, to learn.”

On retreats, guests are given a room and basic supplies, then keep silent as they are free to wander the grounds or join the monks in five daily prayers. Bortz says she avoided the Christian rite of communion, but joined those prayers and some classes that were “very much about humanity and universal values and living an ethical life.” She also enjoyed one sound: the monks’ chanting from the Psalms, a section of the Bible sacred in both religions.

“They never even knew I was Jewish,” said Bortz, as the many retreat participants naturally do not speak to each other about their identities or motivations. “I was surprised and very curious about, ‘Where are all these people coming from?’” she said, but instead focused on seeing “the divine spark in every human being, regardless of any religion.”

“I found a lot of sound in silence,” said Bortz. “There is so much music that can go through your mind as you remain silent.”

She does not mean literal music, but a realization of “the presence of God through nature” and in other people.

Bortz has since returned to the monastery for a second retreat after experiencing the personal crisis of her mother falling ill, and says she would like to return again with a group of women for a special retreat.

In her book, published in August by WestBow Press and available on Amazon.com, Bortz combines journal-like memories of her experience with advice on how others can experience and benefit from silence and meditation.

“Silence may disguise loneliness or solitude,” she writes in her book, “or it can open the endless possibilities of an encounter with God, self, a fellow human, the world.

Silence is an invitation to contemplate.”

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22 | Out & About

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LEARN SOMETHING CONVERSATIONS WITH AUTHORS Wednesday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m.

CANDLELIGHT NIGHTS AT THE ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER Friday, Dec. 22, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Stroll through the gardens and grounds of the Atlanta History Center, decorated and illuminated by candlelight, where you can shop at a holiday Christmas Market filled with local crafts and experience holiday traditions in three historic houses. Santa visit, puppet show, improv comedy holiday show, storytelling, singalongs and musical performances. $20 adults; $15 members; $10 children.

130 West Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead.

Info: 404-814-4000 or atlantahistorycenter.com.

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Through Dec. 23, Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.

The Spruill Gallery continues its 24th annual Holiday Artists Market of locally crafted gifts and decor. 4681 AshfordDunwoody Road, Dunwoody. Info: 770394-4019 or spruillarts.org/gallery.

Welcoming new patients!

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Dr. Mithun Daniel provides comprehensive, patient-centered care to patients of all ages, and offers a full range of medical services, including chronic disease management, preventative care, acute illness care, mental health services and specialized care for men and women’s health. We accept most insurance plans and offer a convenient location for the families of the Greater Atlanta area.

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Saturday, Jan. 6, through December 2018, Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sundays, noon to 5:30 p.m.

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This major exhibition at the Atlanta History Center explores the ways that Latinos are shaping the South and the South is shaping Latinos. Developed by Charlotte’s Levine Museum of the New South in collaboration with the Atlanta History Center and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, “NUEVOlution!” shares personal stories behind the statistics. 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead. History

The Buckhead Library hosts a “Women Empowerment Conversation” with New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison, who strives to eradicate double standards. Morrison’s son, Jesse Byrd, will also appear at the library in a discussion with teens about his young adult/ teen novels “King Penguin” and “Werewolf in New Orleans.” Free. 269 Buckhead Ave., Buckhead. Info: 404-814-3500.

KIDS AND FAMILIES BOOK SALE

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friends of the Brookhaven Library will hold a “Mini Book Sale.” To get there, park behind the library and enter at the lower level. 1242 North Druid Hills Road N.E., Brookhaven. Info: 404-848-7140.

FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE MJCCA Monday, Dec. 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An activity-packed day at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta features family-friendly movies, inflatables and ride-on toys, arts and crafts, table tennis, basketball, indoor swimming, and a community service opportunity.

Food available for purchase until 2 p.m.

Free and open to the community. MJCCA Zaban Park campus, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Info: atlantajcc.org or call Ashley Cohen at 678-812-3861.

GET INTO THE COMMUNITY NEW HORIZONS CONCERT BAND OF ATLANTA Ongoing

The New Horizons Concert Band of Atlanta invites senior musicians, ages 55 and up, to join the band, whether your skills are polished or rusty. New Horizons performs at churches and community events in north Atlanta, often for senior citizens in independent living facilities. Hear the band rehearse Wednesdays at 1 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 550 Mt. Paran Road, Sandy Springs. Registration info: AtlantaNewHorizonsBand.org or call 770-978-1287.

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018

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HOLIDAY BREAK CAMPS BLUE HERON NATURE PRESERVE

DUNWOODY NATURE CENTER

Dec. 18-22, Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-6.

Dec. 21-22, Dec. 26-29 and Jan. 2-3.

Half-day and fullday options are available at this camp for ages 2 to 13.

Kids play outside and discover secrets of nature. 4055 Roswell Road, Buckhead. Registration info: bhnp.org.

Kids will study the winter climate’s effect on the animals, plants and habitats of Dunwoody Park. Half-day sessions for 3- and 4-year-olds. Full-day sessions for kindergarten through fifth-grades, with early drop-off and late pickup available. 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. Registration info: dunwoodynature.org.

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Jan. 2-5 (for Fulton County).

Camp Kingfisher offers hikes, animal encounters, outdoor games and more summer fun in the winter. Full-day, with free extended-day options. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. Registration info: campkingfisher@chattnaturecenter.org or 770-9922055, ext. 222.

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kids ages 5 to 10 can explore art through drawing, painting, collage or clay projects as they create keepsakes. Extended-day available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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DASH IN & LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS

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More than a year after a massive leadership transition lowered its public profile, the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts is emerging to launch a new master planning process that may be called “Perimeter: The Next Generation.”

New Executive Director Ann Hanlon is essentially rebuilding the self-taxing business districts’ organization after longtime leader Yvonne Williams’ surprise resignation for personal reasons in September 2016 left it in turmoil.

Hanlon has overseen a nearly clean sweep of the staff — former key members resigned or were laid off — and says the PCIDs need a sharper focus on transportation projects, better intergovernmental relations, and that coordinated master plan, which will be conducted with general public input.

“I’m personally committed to make sure the entire community is on board with what we’re doing,” Hanlon said in a recent interview at the PCIDs office in Sandy Springs’ Northpark complex.

“I live in Dunwoody and my neighbors are going to fuss at me if I don’t.”

The PCIDs are two separate but jointly operated districts in Perimeter Center, one on the DeKalb County side and one on the Fulton County side, whose members voluntarily pay extra taxes to fund local improvements. The PCIDs funds some infrastructure projects — including a $10 million contribution to the state’s I-285/Ga. 400 interchange recon-

struction — and also such programs as Perimeter Connects, which advises employees about alternative commuting options.

Most of those existing programs and planning efforts will continue, Hanlon said, though “we’re going to try to do a better job of explaining what we do.” With revenue of around $7.7 million a year, she added, the PCIDs need a master plan to organize and expand those efforts.

“We’re going to begin a master plan process, hopefully in the first quarter of next year,” said Hanlon, who had a similar plan in her previous job running the Alpharetta-based North Fulton Community Improvement District.

“Generally, [with] $7.7 million a year, we need to have an academic, thoughtful plan for how to spend it.”

That may include such small, unglamorous projects as filling in gaps in local sidewalks. But it can include “very large things,” Hanlon said, and a “very compelling” one she has in mind is improving the looks and accessibility of Perimeter Center’s three MARTA stations. Earlier on the day of the interview, she had walked the property beneath the Dunwoody MARTA Station tracks where PCIDs has a long-stalled concept of creating a new park.

“I’m coming from [North] Fulton, where we were trying to get transit for years,” Hanlon said, adding that in Perimeter Center “we’ve got [those] crown jewels of the commercial real estate market in our district.”

PCIDs also need to adapt to a “new

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018

■

day” in transportation planning, Hanlon said, with local cities launching new projects and new technology, such as self-driving vehicles, coming along.

She said the PCIDs have not been involved in recent cross-city talks about I-285 transit and that it is unclear what role the organization might play, she said, but “we’d champion it.”

Perimeter Center directly includes two counties and three cities — Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs — and its projects often coordinate with governments farther afield.

Hanlon has hired a dedicated government relations director, Linda Thompson, who previously served as a liaison to Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker and Fulton Commissioner Liz Hausmann.

Thompson says she’s well aware that Perimeter Center is the “center for gravity” for the economy of several jurisdictions.

One relationship to immediately improve is with Sandy Springs, which is suing the PCIDs over the previous staffs’ paperwork errors on a streetscape project which forced a payback of $2.8 million in federal funds. “That was my first phone call … It’s important that we get that figured out,” said Hanlon, adding that the PCIDs is reviewing the files on all of its federally funded projects.

As a local resident, Hanlon is also aware that local cities are more than Perimeter Center. She calls Dunwoody “the tale of two cities,” with her singlefamily residential area distinct from Perimeter Center’s mall and office towers.

Within Perimeter Center, another goal is to expand the PCIDs’ membership. The North Fulton CID expanded by 40 percent under Hanlon’s leadership, she said, adding that organizations “should always be in growth mode.”

One thing that won’t change is the focus on transportation. “Our strength here is … in building transformational infrastructure projects,” Hanlon said. “That is the lane I see us staying in … It’s what we do.”

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Editor’s note: Through our “Standout Student” series, Reporter Newspapers showcases some of the outstanding students at our local schools. To recomeryday praying they get something to eat.” mend a “Standout Student” for our series, Jones was inspired to volunteer by his please email editor@ReporterNewspapers. sister’s service accomplishments. net with information about the student and “She really paved the way in introducwhy you think he or she should be featured. ing service to me. There was never realJordan Jones recently won the Gold ly a big epiphany. Service was just somePresident’s Volunteer Service Award, thing that I always made sure to do, not which is awarded for achieving over 250 because I had to, but because I wanted to,” hours of community service — almost said Jones. “Usually, if a service opportuni10-and-a-half days — in one year. ty came about, I’d just decide to do it and The honor is awarded by the federal government for volunteering at qualified organizations. The gold award requires the most volunteer hours.

Jones primarily volunteers at Crossroads Community Ministries (CCM), a nonprofit organization located in downtown Atlanta that provides homeless people free meals and other services. Jones said he brings his set of SPECIAL skills and knowledge to Jones and Clyde Corbin, the kitchen director at CCM through many difCrossroads Community Ministries, pose with toiletries collected in a drive Jones organized. ferent activities.

“I have done all sorts go with the flow, so to speak. It’s weird, I of things. I have run toiletry and book bag know, but I haven’t really thought that drives, sold fidget spinners to raise money, much of what I’ve done. It was always just made sandwiches for them to serve to the common sense to me.” homeless, and served breakfast early in Jones said his one regret is not getting the morning in their kitchen,” Jones said. more of his fellow students and friends While serving breakfast has been a to volunteer at CCM, but he is working to great experience for Jones, he saw othmake Lovett a certified organization for er community needs where he felt he the President’s Volunteer Service award could help. so hours students spend volunteering for “It is definitely the most fun, but I reLovett organizations can count towards realized I could help out more by doing the ceiving the award. other things I did,” he said.

“Looking back, I wish I had gotten Jones made $373 to donate to CCM by more people involved with me,” Jones selling fidget spinners, handheld spinsaid. “However, this year, I am working ning gadgets that have surged in popuwith my service coordinator at school to larity in the past year, to his classmates. make Lovett a certified organization for “It also felt good that it was a money the President’s Volunteer Service Award. donation. I am positive that my friends The intent is to give students the extra moat CCM know where that money needs tivation to not just rack up the hours, but to go most,” he said. rack up the experience of working with In addition to his fidget spinner enterthe different people of our community.” prise, Jones has also organized a toiletry drive for CCM. What’s Next?

“I reached out to various private comJones plans to attend college in Georpanies, like my dentist and mother’s health gia. He laments he won’t be able to volunclub, who sent loads of toothbrushes, teer as frequently as he has while in high toothpaste, floss and various other staple school, but hopes others will continue to items that most people don’t think about. volunteer as he has.

I couldn’t imagine living without tooth“There is always time to do something paste or soap,” Jones said. “I organized the for someone else,” he said. toiletries myself into plastic bags and then This article was reported and written by gave them to CCM. CCM then distributed Charlie Benedict, a junior at The Westminthe kits to the homeless men, women, and ster Schools. children who walk through their doors ev-

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018

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New Christian school promises limits to traffic and growth

BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

A Christian school that hopes to open on the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody border promised neighbors limited traffic and on-site growth in a final community meeting Dec. 11.

The new Dunwoody Christian School, which wants to occupy part of Dunwoody Community Church in the panhandle area, will next take its request for a use permit to the Sandy Springs Planning Commission on Jan. 23. A City Council vote is expected to follow in February.

Around 10 community members showed up at Sandy Springs City Hall for the Dec. 11 meeting about the school, which plans to open next August at 2250 Dunwoody Club Drive. Among them was Planning Commission chair Lane Frostbaum, who lives in the area and asked some questions about traffic and carpooling.

Bob Baima, the school’s headmaster and co-founder, tried to settle “two major concerns from the community”: traffic and possible expansion.

Attendees appeared to accept Baima’s word that the school would move if it ever expanded beyond the four small rooms it plans to occupy, all of which already exist inside the church. There was more resistance to Baima’s claim of no significant traffic impact, though the handful of attendees disagreed among themselves as to whether traffic outside the church is currently gridlocked in the mornings.

The school is an independent nonprofit unaffiliated with the church, which it would occupy as a tenant. The plan involves no construction per se, but Baima said the fire marshal requires the installation of a fire exit door in each room and a related sidewalk outside.

Baima’s long-term goal is to run a full K-12 program, but he said the school would begin next year by occupying three rooms at most and expand to the fourth room in 2019 if there was demand. He said any expansion beyond that on-site would require extensive construction inside the church, which is “highly unlikely, highly undesirable” and “does not make any sense business-wise” due to the expense and the lack of ownership rights. So the school plans to move if it grows further as intended, he said.

Bob Baima, headmaster and co-founder of Dunwoody Christian School, discusses his proposal at a Dec. 11 meeting at Sandy Springs City Hall.

JOHN RUCH

On the less predictable topic of traffic, Baima said the most intensive scenario would have negligible impact. He said the four classrooms can hold at maximum 48 students, plus seven staff members. If the school was fortunate enough to have maximum occupancy, and if each student and staff arrived alone by car, that would be a maximum of 55 vehicles, he said. That is below the 100-vehicle threshold for a government-required traffic study, a city planning staff member at the meeting confirmed, and well below the church’s parking lot capacity of around 100 spaces. The school also filed a carpooling plan with the city, Baima said.

Some attendees were in total disagreement as to how badly traffic in the area backs up now, or even whether it does at all. Meanwhile, Baima offered his own “unscientific” mini-study, conducted on two November mornings in the 7 o’clock hour when the school would open.

He said he timed traffic passing through the light at the intersection of Mount Vernon Road and Dunwoody Club and Brooke Farm drives, reporting that lined-up traffic got through in one light cycle two out of 35 times.

He also “absolutely guarantees” no back-ups at the church driveway, because it was built to handle 300 attendees and has not had problems in many years of operation.

Baima addressed one other local concern: fears that his school could encourage the nearby Life Center Ministries church to revive a commercial daycare proposal that was highly controversial five years ago. Life Center renewed community concerns recently with noise complaints and an attempt to gain a higher-density zoning designation in case of a possible property sale.

Baima said he has not had any discussions with Life Center and noted that the city considers zoning requests on their own merits, not on what other property owners have done or might do.

The proposal for a school inside the church began in May 2016 under a different leader, with the Baimas later taking over the concept and refiling it.

Baima, who formerly worked at IBM, is an Army Reserve chaplain and served in Iraq a decade ago. He and wife Cindy founded the school after being unable to find one similar in the area for their own children, now ages 4 and 6. Bob Baima said the couple decided through prayer that God wanted them to start the nondenominational, evangelical Christian school. It is intended as a “covenant school,” where all staff and at least one parent of each student formally agrees with the school’s generally conservative “Statement of Faith,” unlike some open-enrollment religious schools.

While Dunwoody Community Church is separate from the school, the Baimas have a strong personal connection to it. Bob Baima said that one factor in his moving to metro Atlanta was that his childhood friend was a pastor there, and the couple were married in the church.

The church has operated there for nearly 40 years, with a modern, large sanctuary built about 13 years ago, both predating the incorporation of the cities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. In that area today, Dunwoody Club Drive is the border between the two cities.

DUN

DEC. 15, 2017 - JAN. 4, 2018

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Police Blotter / Dunwoody From Dunwoody Police reports dated Dec. 3 through Dec. 9. The following information was pulled from Dunwoody’s Police-2-Citizen website.

B U R G L A RY 1600 block of Tichenor Court — On

Dec. 3, in the evening, a home was forcefully burglarized and a 1995 BMW was stolen. The car was recovered, but other items that were taken have not been recovered.

4600 block of Devonshire Road — On

covered his work laptop had been stolen from a hotel conference room overnight.

4600

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 5, in the morning, a man reported a gun and a hand towel missing from his car.

5400 block of Chamblee-Dunwoody

Road — On Dec. 5, in the early morning, a woman said her purse was taken from her car.

Dec. 4, in the morning, someone broke in through a side door and took a TV and laptop.

1700 block of Mount Vernon Road —

R O B B E RY

100 block of Perimeter Center East —

4800

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 3, in the early morning, a woman said she was carjacked at gunpoint. The suspect took her gray Honda Accord. Officers located the driver traveling on Ga. 400 toward Atlanta, but stopped pursuit after too much distance was created to confirm that it was the stolen car. One person later was arrested in connection with the incident.

LARCENY/ SHOPLIFTING/ THEFT 2400 block of Sandell Drive — On Dec.

3, in the early morning, a woman called police regarding suspicious-looking men in her driveway. They were trying to force their way into her vehicles. The suspects drove off in a 2011 Cadillac Escalade. This incident is related to the carjacking mentioned above, as it involves the same victim, but as a bystander.

5000 block of Hidden Branches — On

Dec. 4, a couple said their cars were broken into overnight. A purse containing sunglasses and various credit and gift cards, as well as car keys, was stolen.

4400

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 4, a woman said her car was broken into while she was shopping. Nothing was taken.

4300

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 4, in the morning, a juvenile was stopped and accused of trying to shoplift at a department store.

4600

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — Overnight into Dec. 5, someone broke into a car.

4500

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 4, at night, while dining at a restaurant, someone broke into a car and took a backpack containing a laptop, iPad, $200 cash and various work documents.

100 block of Perimeter Center West

— On Dec. 5, in the morning, a man disDUN

Public Safety | 31

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On Dec. 5, in the morning, a woman said someone tried to break into her car.

On Dec. 5, a woman said her car tag had been taken from her car sometime during the workday.

1300 block of Wyntercreek Road — On

Dec. 5, in the afternoon, a man was arrested and accused of larceny.

4300 block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road

— On Dec. 5, in the afternoon, a man was arrested and accused of stealing men’s clothing from a department store.

4800 block of Macbain Lane — On

Dec. 6, a man reported someone illegally entered two of his cars overnight and stole a firearm.

4700

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 5, in the evening, loss prevention employees at a shoe store filed a report that two pairs of sneakers had been shoplifted from the store.

4500 block of Ashford-Dunwoody

Road — On Dec. 6, a 2017 Toyota Camry was reported stolen from a restaurant parking lot.

2800 block of Fontainebleu Drive —

On Dec. 6, in the morning, a man discovered his cars had been broken into overnight. Some FedEx packages were stolen.

2600 block of Stonehenge Court — On

Dec. 6, in the early morning, a man reported his Kia Sorrento was broken into.

2300 block of Mount Vernon Road —

On Dec. 6, in the afternoon, a woman reported a rowing machine was stolen from her home.

4400 block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road

— On Dec. 6, in the afternoon, a woman was arrested and accused of trying to shoplift clothing from a department store.

4400

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 6, in the afternoon, two women were arrested in connected with a report of an attempted theft. Police reported security cameras recorded the women placing $1,600 worth of clothes

in empty shopping bags and concealing them from view.

100 block of Perimeter Center West —

On Dec. 6, at night, a man reported his backpack stolen from his car.

4400 block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road

— On Dec. 6, in the afternoon, a man was arrested and accused of trying to steal a pair of earbuds from a computer store.

100 block of Perimeter Center West —

On Dec. 7, in the evening, someone shoplifted children’s clothes from a discount retailer.

4400

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 8, in the morning, a man was arrested and accused of shoplifting.

On Dec. 6, in the evening, a landscaper said his trailer tag was stolen from his trailer.

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 8, in the morning, a wanted person was found shoplifting a fragrance set from a department store and arrested on related charges.

100 block of Perimeter Center Place —

1100 block of Hammond Drive — On

4900 block of Winters Chapel Road —

On Dec. 6, in the evening, a woman was arrested and accused of trying to shoplift from a superstore.

1200 block of Ashford-Crossing — On

Dec. 6, in the evening, a woman said an iPod was stolen from her car.

4700

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 6, at night, a man reported his 2017 Lexus stolen from a parking lot.

100 block of Perimeter Center West —

On Dec. 6, at night, a woman reported her designer purse stolen from her car.

100 block of Perimeter Center West —

On Dec. 6, at night, a woman reported two laptops, two tablets, and a speaker were stolen from her car.

100 block of Perimeter Center West —

On Dec. 6, at night, a man reported a bag containing a laptop and a speaker were stolen from his car.

100 block of Perimeter Center West —

On Dec. 6, at night, a man said an Adidas bag containing an Apple MacBook and an iPad was taken from his car.

100 block of Perimeter Center West —

On Dec. 6, at night, a man said his car was damaged when someone tried to enter it illegally.

4400

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 7, in the morning, a sunglasses boutique reported three pairs of sunglasses missing.

200 block of Ashford Parkway — On

Dec. 7, in the afternoon, a man reported a drive out tag was on his car and not his Georgia license plate.

4700

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 7, in the afternoon, a woman was arrested and accused of stealing photo print-outs from a photo kiosk.

100 block of Perimeter Center Place

4300

Dec. 8, at noon, a suspect was stopped by store employees. The suspect was arrested and accused of shoplifting. On Dec. 8, in the afternoon, the same store stopped another person, who also was arrested and accused of shoplifting.

4700

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 8, in the afternoon, a man was arrested and accused of stealing a flashlight and an air freshener from a discount superstore.

5000 block of Winters Chapel Road —

On Dec. 8, in the evening, a man reported someone tried to steal his car.

4700

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 8, at night, a man was arrested and accused of trying to steal a video game controller from a discount superstore.

6700 block of Peachtree Industrial

Boulevard — On Dec. 8, at night, a man reported his car was stolen from his apartment. The keys are with the victim.

4600 block of Peachtree Place Park-

way— On Dec. 9, officers responded to a home in regards to a $27 theft.

4300

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 9, in the afternoon, a suspect took three Burberry sweaters and two scarves worth $2,575 from a display table at a department store and ran off without paying for them.

4300

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 9, in the afternoon, a man said clothes were stolen from his car.

4400

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 9, in the evening, a retailer notified mall police officers about a shoplifting incident. The items were recovered.

4600

block of Ashford-Dunwoody Road — On Dec. 9, in the evening, a man at a long-term stay hotel said his car had been entered.

— On Dec. 7, in the evening, two women were arrested and accused of trying to steal cosmetics and athletic READ MORE OF THE POLICE BLOTTER ONLINE AT clothes from a superstore.

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Calililifffo Ca forn rnia ia. 75 750ml 750 0ml

Titto’s Tit Ti o’ss Ha H and dmad ma ade de Vod Vo Vod dk dka ka

Jack Ja k Dan aniie iel’ iel l’s Blac Bl ack k Bou Bo urbo ur u bo on 1.75 .75 75L L

1.7 75 7 5L

$

$

Swee Sw eetW ee tW tWat Wat ater er 420 42 0 Pa Pale Pal le Ale le 12-1 12oz 2oz bt btlls ls

$

$

*DUE TO GEORGIA STATE LAW, SPIRITS ARE AVAILABLE IN KENNESAW AND ALPHARETTA ONLY

BROOKHAVEN- No Spirits

PERIMETER R - No Spirits

3954-A Peachtree Rd., NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319 • (404) 816-7249 Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 12:30pm-10pm

124 Perimeter Center West, Atlanta, GA 30346 • (770) 395-1678 Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm, Fri & Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 12:30pm-10pm

Prices valid 12/15/2017 - 1/1/2018. Total Wine & More is not responsible for typographical errors,

human error or supplier price increases. Products while supplies last. We reserve the right to limit quantities. It is illegal to sell alcohol below cost in the State of Georgia. In the event of a price error or price match, customer satisfactions cannot go below our purchase cost. Some items in limited quantities at the listed prices. Total Wine & More is a registered trademark of Retail Services & Systems, Inc. © 2017 Retail Services & Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Please drink responsibly. Use a designated driver. * Spirits available in our Kennesaw and Alpharetta locations only.

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Perimeter Square Shopping Center

ALPHARETTA A - Wine, Spirits & Beer

KENNNESAW W - Wine, Spirits & Beer

380 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA 30022 • (770) 772-0694 Mon-Thurs 9am-10pm, Fri & Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 12:30pm-10pm

740 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy., Ste. 500, Kennesaw, GA 30144 (678) 354-0168 Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm, Fri & Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 12:30pm-10pm

Adjacent to North Point Mall

Barrett Pavilion I

ATL-17-1211ROP-TAB

Brookhaven Plaza (next to Stein Mart)

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